Your valued contribution will change a life! So please consider giving today.
|
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click Event for More Info. |
| File | Description |
|---|---|
 Talking Tomatoes Español | Talking Tomatoes Brochure |
| Talking Tomatoes English | Talking Tomatoes Brochure |
BILINGUAL TALKING TOMATOES—this curriculum is written with the undertones of our Second language literacy method that assists with the facilitation of second language skills. This second language learning curriculum is geared for children as young as a couple of months to 6, 7 years of age.
BENEFITS OF OUR APPROACH:
There is current research that shows the window for language learning is robust when children are young. And that the key to second language learning that is successful is through the use of multi-sensory techniques that are facilitative of success with language learning and all that impacts it including oral language and vocabulary. Our curriculum is built around those realities. The underpinnings upon which the curriculum is premised can be generalized across languages.
What are the most important things for parents or early childhood educators to know about early childhood bilingualism?
There are number of important things to keep in mind:
As many parents recognize the value of exposing their children to a second language at an early age,
we will be offering bilingual English/Spanish play groups to promote and support the development and maintenance of bilingualism.
Children in their early years prior to puberty have a unique ability to learning different languages.
Learning another language helps your child be more marketable and improves their worth in the growing global business world.
Playgroups provide children with a fun time social environment outside of home and school where they don't realize they're learning, perfect for the introduction of a second language at a prime age for language development.
Play groups are formed with the languages of Spanish *English as the primary languages. Exposure to Spanish and English vocabulary and music will be offered as will opportunities for play with Spanish/ English speaking peers
The curriculum has been structured by an experienced bilingual bicultural speech language pathologist with extensive experience working with second language learners, dual language learners and children interested in learning Spanish/English.
This curriculum consists of various methodologies designed to increase reception and expressive abilities in both English and Spanish based on our program director's knowledge of the attainment of successful dual and second language acquisition.
Children will be grouped by age as well as language levels*for example a 2 year old and a 2-1/2 year old with similar language levels in English or Spanish may be grouped together as their age is close as well as their home language level.
12-18 months “Vamonos – Let’s Go”
In this level, children are beginning to integrate what they see and learn. They are beginning to become problem solvers as well as communication skills start to emerge. So, we use music and increase receptive language skill sets in Spanish, and English to improve comprehension. Expressive language skills will be focused upon as well during our music and play based activities.
19-28 months “Hablamos - We talk”
At this level, children are increasingly communicative. For this reason, we will use motor and music based activities to facilitate peer based interactions using the target languages. As attentional skills are increasing, we will complement these activities with group based activities to build upon expressive language competencies in Spanish and English
29-38 months "Vamos a explorar - We are going to explore"
At this level, children*s language is taking on new shape as sentences begin to emerge as well as basic story telling skills. We seek to optimize this time by incorporating stories in Spanish and English as part of our bilingual playgroup curriculum.
39-47 months "Nuestro mundo - Our world---Seize all opportunities"
At this stage and level, we are talking, doing, running beings *language skills are exploding at this time and children are very much impacted by the world around them and enjoy watching how they impact others. Play based activities with peer modelling are a major hallmark of this level. Motor based activities are used to further language development, so children have the opportunity to practice their newly acquired language skill sets in functional settings.
4-5 years "Hablo espa ol y ingl's - I speak both Spanish and English"
I can speak to those people who speak only Spanish and those who only speak English. At this stage, motor and play based activities, are aimed at optimizing children*s bilingual communication skill sets. This is accomplished through peer and teacher supported communication interactions. English and Spanish music along with various sensory based activities will be used to accomplish these goals.